Public Outreach of the Society of Catholic Scientists

This project will develop the public outreach and educational activities of the Society of Catholic Scientists (SCS). Such public engagement by religious scientists is needed at a time when there is widespread perception that science and faith are incompatible. This project will further SCS public engagement through four interconnected initiatives: (1) public lectures on faith and science, (2) regional science-faith conferences open to the public, (3) a public science-faith event held in conjunction with each SCS Annual Conference, and (4) “Gold Masses” for Catholics involved in science followed by meet-and-greet receptions held at colleges, major cities, and large scientific conferences. These activities will be carried out with and through SCS chapters of two types now being established: (a) Three “Regional Chapters” (1 in the US and 2 outside the US) and (b) 25 “College Chapters” on college/university campuses. The three Regional Chapters will be at Los Alamos National Lab, in Spain, and in Poland, and will each organize a regional science-faith conference open to the public during 2021-3 featuring renowned researchers and leaders in science-faith dialogue. Each College Chapter will organize annually a "Gold Mass" and one other event, such as a public science-faith campus lecture. In addition to the Gold Masses held by college chapters, we will also organize 21 non-college chapter-affiliated Gold Masses over the 33-month grant term.